Shooting in Oshawa leads to two arrests in Niagara raid

Two men have been arrested days after gunfire erupted in an Oshawa neighbourhood.

Shots rang out near Normandy Street and Nevis Avenue shortly before 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. A man was sitting outside his home on the block of detached houses when another man fired at him, according to Durham Police. 

The victim was not harmed but several rounds struck his home. A suspected shooter then ran from the scene into a nearby home. The attack resulted in numerous 911 calls from neighbours.

When police arrived officers found several shell casings on the ground and several bullet holes in the home’s facade. The officers searched the area but the shooter was long gone.

The next day, police raided the home the shooter was seen running into. Inside they found four handgun magazines and several rounds of ammunition.

Investigators later identified Erick Gomes, 20 of Oshawa, as a suspect. They were unable to arrest Gomes at the time but issued a warrant for his arrest on several charges.

Further investigation led to an Air BnB in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Police raided the rental on Nov. 9 and arrested two men inside, including Gomes. They also found two handguns, a replica firearm, ammunition, cocaine and MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly).

Gomes is charged with numerous offences including:

• two counts of possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without a licence
• two counts of possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm,
• two counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited
• possession of cocaine for trafficking
• unlawful possession of MDMA
• discharge of a firearm
• assault with a weapon,
• carrying a concealed weapon
• uttering threats, and
• mischief under $5,000

The second man in the Air BnB was Sameer Ahmad Maslumyar, 22 of Oshawa. He is charged with possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without a licence. Both he and Gomes were held until a bail hearing.

Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5800 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).